what I'm loving lately
the world's on fire so watch TV i guess
hello lover,
I’m not doing well. If you’re alive and reading this right now, chances are you’re not doing well either. Here are some things I love or have been loving lately that you may hopefully also love:
Reservation Dogs: yes, this is a Taika Waititi show so you probably already know that it’s good but I cannot say loudly enough how fucking good this show is. It has immediately jumped into my top 5. I will be rewatching it again very soon. Talent and skill oozes from every frame of this show, from the likes of Waititi, to the main cast of 4 young indigenous actors, to the supporting cast, the writers, costume, editing. Truly, all and every ounce of this show left me fully satisfied and yearning terribly for more. Watch it. Watch it again. Do it as a treat to yourself.
Gentle feedback: today, when I showed a friend my not very good attempt at a graphic promoting the Match Books (The Match Faker, book 1; and Most Likely to Match, book 2) they said, “this is such a great branding opportunity that I wanna try a few more options” and it just felt really nice to be acknowledged for my effort while also challenged to do better in a safe and compassionate way.
Stranger Things: my child loves Stranger Things, especially the Demagorgon, and in anticipation of the new season coming out later this year we decided to watch the show again from the beginning. There’s no better character combination then Steve and Dustin.
Here she is with her Dema-stuffie, gifted to her by my writing wife, Jennifer Whiteford. Also, Jim Hopper? Daddy.
Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas: how are all of y’all out here hawking Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent when RHYS WINTERBOURNE EXISTS? I’m sorry, I’ve never read a Grand Gesture like FIVE FUCKING MINUTES BEFORE. This book blew my mind for the Grand Gesture scene alone and if you haven’t taken the time to read Lisa Kleypas I need you to stop what you’re doing and start reading right away.1
My kid: the other day, to win an argument she said, “period. end of sentence. no add-ons” and then she dabbed. I don’t even remember what we were arguing about but I will remember the look of triumph on her face for the rest of my life.
Pogos: if you eat meat, might I suggest eating meat on a stick? I’m on a big Pogo kick and they’re just so deliciously delightful!
The Materialists: listen, I know what you’re all going to say, but honestly, I THINK YOU’RE WRONG! I thought The Materialists was good! And I thought it had chemistry - maybe it’s the neurodivergent in me, but when I saw everyone saying it had no chemistry I was like, huh? Did we watch different movies? When Pedro Pascal told her: You are valuable, the ENTIRE THEATRE swooned. Listen to me, I watched that movie with a lesbian and even THEY swooned. Pedro’s power is astronomical. And then Chris said, in that Boston fucking accent, I’m a beggar for you. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That’s Ruby-hero coded if I do say so myself.
You know what? I’m feeling a little bit better. Thanks for letting me dump all this on you. The simple act of sharing some of my favourite things with you has made me feel good.
I’d love if you shared some of your favourite things with me (unless one of those things is Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent then no thank you very much).
Or if you’d like more of my favourite things: they include my books! Could I beg you on my hands and knees to read The Match Faker and/or preorder Most Likely to Match?
I love these books with all my heart and I know we’re not supposed to say things like this, but I feel like they don’t/won’t get the recognition they deserve, ie. recognition for being horny and tender in equal measure.
And if you have any extra luck to pass around, I have a book on sub right now, a sapphic haunted house romance set in Toronto’s Gay Village and I’d love for nothing more than to one day put it in y’alls hands!
The world is terrible, but you are not. Find what you love and share it! We need more love and more sharing in this terrible, terrible place!
xo
Rubes
Before you read Marrying Winterbourne you’ll need to read Cold Hearted Rake, trust me.
I feel like I've seen Rhys Winterbourne get his flowers, too!!! I don't want you out here thinking we don't appreciate him!!! Every once in a while that "five fucking minutes" makes the round of social media and everyone goes wild. Your book on sub sounds fantastic and I'm sending you all the best vibes!!